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E-Financial

FinTechNGR Seeks More Investment to Drive Access to Affordable Digital Services

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FinTech Nigeria (FintechNGR) the umbrella body of financial technology services providers in Nigeria is seeking more investors who see the long-term value of Africa.

Mr. Ade Bajomo, President, FinTechNGR, stated this in his opening remarks at the 7th Nigeria Fintech Week in Lagos.

“Also, we need regulators who foster a supportive environment for innovation. And most importantly, we need a generation of talented fintech entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a difference,” he said.

This is coming against the backdrop of dwindling investments in Fintechs in the continent. Mr. Ade Bajomo, quoting Elevandi report in the first half of 202: “investments in the fintech sector in Africa declined significantly, dropping 77% to US$186 million from US$826 million in 1H 2023. The number of deals decreased 30% year-on-year and average deal size fell to US$4 million in 1H 2024 from US$10.5 million in 1H 2023.

“Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and South Africa remained the primary recipients of FinTech funding, with their combined contribution of 76% in Q2 2024”.

According to him, “As an industry, we still have several growth opportunities and must up the game in identifying and delivering these, diversifying from payments which have and continue to play a critical role in driving financial inclusion, into broader areas where technology can drive inclusive growth such as InsureTech, InvestTech, AgriTech, EdTech & HealthTech to name a few.

“Of course, with great opportunity comes great responsibility. Challenges posed by inadequate infrastructure, such as limited internet connectivity and unreliable power supply, the need for skilled talent in the fintech industry, exponential rate of increase in electronic fraud (N43bn in Q2 2024), identity theft and with 40 million Nigerians (and 350 million Africans) still financially excluded leave numerous opportunities for our ecosystem to exploit for inclusive growth. Imagine the resulting socio-economic upside of resolving these challenges?

“Though we are facing a period of investment drought and cost of living challenges, we must stay focused on our goals to leverage fintech as a tool for socio-economic development and exploit every opportunity that innovation, technology and leadership can deliver to improve governance, processes, and scale.

“As Peter Drucker said, results are gained by exploiting opportunities. The time is here to exploit the opportunities of the moment and gain the thrust to drive the growth of our fintech ecosystem.

“At FinTechNGR, we have and will continue to play our part in connecting, accelerating the growth of and advocating for Fintechs and in this respect we will continue to:

◦ Deepen relationships with regulators to co-develop policies and address issues that impact the Fintech ecosystem pro-actively.

◦ Enhance our feedback system to understand how best to assist members with regulators and advocate for them as appropriate

◦ Drive the adoption of the Fintech Certification Program, which was developed in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Bankers in October 2023 to address the acute skills gap in the ecosystem and strengthen governance structures,” he stated.

 


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E-Financial

NIA Puts Industry Written Premium @ N1.5trn in 2024

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Nigerian insurance industry has recorded a gross written premium of N1.562 trillion in the 2024 financial year. Mr Kunle Ahmed, Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association, disclosed this during the 54th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) in Lagos.

Ahmed said that this represented a 56 per cent increase over the N1.003 trillion generated in 2023.

According to him, the industry’s total assets rose to N3.9 trillion, a 46.1 per cent increase from N2.67 trillion in 2023.

He said: “The Nigerian insurance industry in 2024 experienced notable developments, shaped by regulatory changes, economic conditions, and evolving market dynamics. “Available data indicated robust growth in gross premiums.

The industry reported a gross written premium of N1.562 trillion, a 56 per cent increase over the N1.003 trillion recorded in 2023. “Non-life business accounted for N1.1 trillion, while life business generated N470 billion.

“The industry’s total assets expanded significantly to N3.9 trillion, a 46.1 per cent rise from N2.67 trillion in 2023. “Market capitalisation also grew substantially, reaching N1.2 trillion, a 41 per cent increase from N850 billion in 2022.”

Ahmed further disclosed that the net claims paid by the industry stood at N622 billion, with the non-life segment accounting for N437 billion and the life segment for N185 billion.

He said within the non-life sector, fire, oil and gas insurance lines were key drivers of revenue growth, with all non-life products demonstrating strong quarter-on-quarter increases.


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UN and Sterling One Foundation Lead Coalition Ahead of ASIS 2025

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L–R: Mohamed Malick Fall, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; and Abubakar Sulieman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank, at the recently held Africa Social Impact Summit 2025 World Press Conference at the United Nations House, Abuja.
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Ahead of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2025, scheduled for July 10 and 11 in Lagos, co-conveners Sterling One Foundation and the United Nations in Nigeria held a high-level press briefing at the United Nations House in Abuja.

L–R: Mohamed Malick Fall, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; and Abubakar Sulieman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank, at the recently held Africa Social Impact Summit 2025 World Press Conference at the United Nations House, Abuja.

The event brought together development partners, policymakers, and the media to outline expectations for the upcoming summit and reflect on Africa’s role in defining local responses to global challenges.

Since its launch in 2022, ASIS has grown into a key platform for regional development collaboration. From eight founding partners, the summit now brings together over 40 institutions working across climate, healthcare, education, finance, governance, and digital inclusion. This expansion points to a growing shift: African institutions are pushing to set the agenda, not wait to be handed one.

The 2025 summit, themed “Scaling Action for the SDGs: Bold Solutions for Climate Resilience and Policy Innovation,”will focus on strengthening sub-national development, rethinking finance flows, and tackling structural inequalities through long-term investment and reform.

Speaking at the press briefing, Mohamed M. Malick Fall, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, reinforced the urgency of this year’s convening.

“The climate crisis is eroding decades of development across Africa, displacing communities, disrupting education and health systems, and undermining economic stability. But lasting solutions must come from those living the impact daily.

“As co-conveners of the summit, and with this year’s theme Scaling Action: Bold Solutions for Climate Resilience and Policy Innovation, ASIS offers a platform for African institutions to lead and for global partners to respond with investment, policy reform, and serious commitment.”

In a presentation on the summit’s evolving impact, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation, reflected on the summit’s trajectory:

“ASIS has never been about convening for its own sake. Each summit marks a deliberate step to mobilize capital, shift policy, and advance African-led solutions. Already, we have seen over 100 million dollars unlocked through coalition efforts.

“That scale is not accidental. It is the product of systems thinking, partnership, and a commitment to putting Africa’s priorities at the center of global development conversations.”

In his remarks, Abubakar Suleiman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank, emphasized the private sector’s enduring role in the ASIS journey: “Sterling Bank has been a strategic partner to ASIS from the very beginning.

“As global development funding becomes more constrained, it is increasingly clear that the private sector must help drive scalable solutions.

“Our engagement with ASIS reflects a belief that impact is not a side effort but core to building resilient economies and inclusive growth.”

Other partners in the room echoed the need for bold, cross-sector investment in areas such as health systems, youth employment, education access, and digital infrastructure.

ASIS boasts a coalition of over 40 institutions that includes Afreximbank, Coca-Cola, United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, Sterling Bank, and other theme and technical partners, with Lagos State as the host city.

Interested participants are encouraged to register at theimpactsummit.org


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Flutterwave Named in 2025 TIME100 Most Influential Companies List

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Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company,  has been named in the TIME100 Most Influential Companies List of 2025, marking its second appearance on the prestigious global ranking.

Flutterwave Named in 2025 TIME100 Most Influential Companies List

Previously honoured in 2021, Flutterwave joins industry giants such as Amazon, Netflix, and OpenAI in the TITANS category of the fifth-annual list, which recognizes companies driving significant global impact.

The selection process, led by TIME editors, evaluated nominees based on innovation, ambition, impact, and success, highlighting Flutterwave’s transformative role in the fintech sector.

Founded in 2016, Flutterwave has grown into a powerhouse facilitating seamless payments across Africa and beyond, empowering businesses and individuals in the digital economy.

Its solutions span critical sectors such as cross-border remittances, e-commerce, travel, payroll, and hospitality.

The company’s 2021 TIME100 recognition followed its impactful campaign to help businesses pivot online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s inclusion underscores Flutterwave’s sustained influence, with its technology now reaching over 34 African countries and expanding into new markets such as Bahrain, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, supporting a leading global ride-hailing company’s operations.

Flutterwave’s flagship remittance product, SendApp by Flutterwave, has gained significant traction in the US, UK, and EU, offering faster and more affordable money transfers for the African diaspora.

In 2024, the company secured 20 additional licenses in the US, bringing its total to 34 and achieving near-complete coverage through strategic partnerships.

Flutterwave’s focus on profitability and market expansion, coupled with a strengthened executive team, has fuelled its growth, with nearly half of its customers receiving payments in new markets last year.

Olugbenga Agboola,  founder and CEO, Flutterwave, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, “Being recognized by TIME once again is a true honour. It’s a testament to our team’s incredible work. We’re shaping Africa’s financial future and connecting the continent to the world.”

The accolade follows other recent honours, including topping Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies list for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and earning a second consecutive ranking in the FXC Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies.

The TIME100 listing solidifies Flutterwave’s position as a global fintech leader, bridging Africa to the world through innovative payment solutions.

As the company continues to expand its reach and refine its growth strategy, its influence in transforming the financial landscape remains undeniable, setting a benchmark for innovation and connectivity in the digital economy.


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